We all need moments of silence. With out busy lives we need to create a place in our homes where silence rules and where we can become grounded.

I raised three children so I know how important those moments of silence can be. I found mine at 4 A.M. That is the time of day where silence claims my soul. The time where I look deep inside and put my fears to rest. It is during that early hour when I find the courage to face the day. My children are all grown and on their own, but the silence of 4 A.M. still claims my soul.

Four A.M. may not work for you, but somewhere in your home there is a time and place that is yours. If there isn't, then you need to create and claim that space. It could be a place where you can meditate on a calming photograph or savor a cup of tea, but find your silent place in your home. Your sanity requires this of you.

I'll leave you with a calming photo that was created in a moment filled with the smell of lavender and the silence of buzzing bees.

Life has a way of happening when you least expect it. And that is exactly what the start of 2017 did to my family and me. Shortly after the beginning of the year we lost my father unexpectedly. As a result I haven't been as focused here as I normally would be.

Slowly life gets back on track and things return to a new normal. I say new because I am moving forward with a deeper and I hope better appreciation of what is truly important. Many of you have been in this place so you understand the adjustment of living in a world where my father no longer resides. There is a tear in the fabric of my life that just can not be repaired.

I hope as we move forward into this year this better appreciation of what is important and how we bring that into our homes will show in my blog and in my photographs.

This photograph of the Broken Tree is a favorite of mine. Even though it eventually broke from time and age it is still a beautiful reminder of what life is all about.

I decided to start my journey of 2017 The Year of the Home with my bathroom. Does it seem like an odd place to start? Here's my reasoning.

Like everyone I need to live and work within a budget. Since the bathroom is small I will be able to complete this room more quickly. I think that satisfaction of completion of a small task helps when working on a year long project. So I am starting small.

Since I am currently living in a rental I can't paint my walls. So white is my canvas here. I also have a glass door on my tub/shower. Which means no shower curtain for adding color or texture. So these are my limitations and challenges in this room.

I really want to add some color since color has the ability to affect our moods. After much deliberation I have chosen the photograph featured above to hang in the bathroom. Gardens make me feel good. They relax me and take away the worries when I spend time there. I also like the colors so it is a good choice for me.

I can also add color and texture with a choice of towels. I am leaning towards a dark green and a dark mauve color for towels. I enjoy therapeutic baths in the evening and I know those colors will add to my relaxation. So this is where I am starting.

I will update you from time to time with posts as to how this is all playing out.

Three beautiful Lisianthus flowers photographed with a white background.

Taking a walk in the garden can be magical. Flowers have so much to offer in their shapes, colors and scents.

Sadly not all of us have a garden we can take a walk in when we are in need of magic. If it is heading into winter where you live then a flower garden is no longer in bloom. So what do you do when you need the relaxing, magical power of flowers in your day?

My solution is to fill your home with flowers. I love cut flowers, but they will whither and die. So I also have lots of photographs of flowers. My walls become my indoor flower garden.

​ Remember the words of botanist Luther Burbank and fill your home with flowers. "Flowers always make people better, happier.... They are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul."

I love large beautiful landscape and seascape photos. They can make such a statement in the decor of a home or office setting.

But what is it about a landscape or seascape image that make it work for you? The photos that you will enjoy most are the ones that you can picture yourself in. If you can do that, then you have found the perfect photo for your home.

This beautiful photograph is of a lone kayaker on the ocean. Are you a kayaker? Do you want to learn how to kayak? If so, then this might be the image for your wall, because you can imagine yourself as that kayaker.

​ But what if you love the image but don't want to see the kayaker? Then this is your lucky day because this image is also available without the kayak. Check it out here and start imagining yourself on the beach staring out at the deep blue sea.

Getting outside and into my natural surroundings helps me to appreciate that perfection isn't always perfect. And to me, that is wonderful. These are moments that I treasure and don't want to forget.

But as the seasons change and winter arrives it is more difficult to get out into the wild. But I have photographs to remind me. I enjoy hanging these reflective images on my walls where I can see the daily.

These kind of photographs make for an inviting space to relax in. When I sit down at the end of the day I can't think of a more perfect way to relax than enjoying natures imperfect perfection.

Once again the forest floor reveals her hidden beauty. This delicate leaf is ending its season as fall approaches.

Beauty in our everyday life is something that we often overlook. But those ordinary things or moments can really give us the balance we need in this busy and chaotic world.

I really enjoy the featured photograph today. That little leaf with the holes in it make me stop in my tracks when I saw it. I found it while hiking in early Autumn. Seeing the beginning of the yellow color reminds me of that day.

I often wonder what caused those little holes. But even with that imperfection it continued to grow and serve its life purpose. Seems like there is a life lesson there. I think that is why I enjoy sitting and looking at this picture. Simple, imperfect, and peaceful makes it perfect for a home or office wall.

Water is such an essential element to human life. We are drawn to it. Not only for our physical well being, but for our mental well being.

Water helps elucidate your thinking. But like everything in life, too much can have a negative impact. Tor the water element too much can make you feel unfocused.

In Feng Shui asymmetrical shapes and the color black represent water. Black? Have you ever been in water so deep that it looks black? So black is a color that can represent water. So to bring the energy of that element into play in your home you can use things with a asymmetrical shape or the color black. You can also use actual water by using a small water fountain. Artwork that shows water is also an acceptable way to bring the element into your home.

Today I feel like a relaxing beach scene is exactly what is needed. If you feel this scene is right for you and would like to purchase it please contact me directly as it is not yet available in my store.

Like most of us you have your treasured photographs and other decorative items that you love. It's tempting to have them all out on display. Many of them hold good memories so it is only natural to want them where you can see them. But does it look cluttered?

Knowing when to stop is important in almost every thing we do, including decorating our homes. I have some ideas to help you know when to stop. First look for the focal point in your room. Hang your photograph there. Create small tabletop displays of your accessories. Can you create a themed display? Those are always fun. But don't fill the table top. For me I always look at how much work is it going to be to dust all them! I don't want to spend large amounts of time cleaning, I have other things I like to do.

If you just have too many things that you love and would like to display consider changing them out seasonally. This not only allows you to use all your lovely items, but it will refresh your rooms. It also eliminates clutter. There is nothing like clutter to mess with the good vibrations in a room.